By Blake Jackson
The Wisconsin Agricultural Outlook Forum will return on Tuesday, Jan. 27, with a strong emphasis on the role of trade in shaping the state’s agricultural economy.
The event will examine how export markets, global competition, and evolving trade policies are affecting Wisconsin producers and agribusinesses.
The forum will be held on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus and is organized by the Renk Agribusiness Institute, the university’s center for agribusiness teaching, research, and outreach within the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
Although trade is the central theme, the program will also address broader national developments influencing agriculture, including the recently announced $12 billion federal aid package for farmers. Speakers will explore how this assistance may intersect with Wisconsin’s overall economic outlook.
Trade plays an outsized role in Wisconsin agriculture, as the state exports a wide range of products such as dairy, meat, processed vegetables, corn, soybeans, cranberries, dry beans, and ginseng. While agriculture faces challenges nationwide, some data suggest Wisconsin may be performing better than other regions.
The 2026 forum will assess whether that perception is accurate and examine the factors contributing to differing outcomes across commodities and sectors.
“Trade remains a defining factor for Wisconsin agriculture,” says event organizer Paul Mitchell, professor and extension specialist in the UW-Madison Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics. “Producers are navigating a complicated global market, and this year’s forum provides timely insight into how these forces affect farms, businesses, and rural communities here at home.”
The morning program will feature the forum’s traditional economic outlook presentations, offering detailed updates on dairy, livestock, grain markets, and farm income from UW experts and industry partners.
Afternoon sessions will focus on Wisconsin’s trade experience from two perspectives. One panel will examine how global trade conditions influence farm finances, lending, bankruptcies, producer experiences, and farmer mental health.
A second session will highlight Wisconsin-based companies and organizations involved in agricultural trade, offering insights into international market opportunities, risks, and policy impacts.
Registration is open through Jan. 20. The full agenda is available at go.wisc.edu/AgOutlookForum2026. For more information, contact Megan Webster at mawebster@wisc.edu.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-shotbydave
Categories: Wisconsin, Business